Parliamemaly Secretary to the Minister-for Communications, Injbmation Technology and the Arts Manager of Government Business in the Senate

Media Release

ALPI’s Centenary House Rip Off IRoll.s Into Seventh Year Under embargo until 12:00am, Saturday September 23, 2000

Senator Ian Campbell, Manager of Government Business in the Senate, today called on the ALP to immediately renegotiate the lease, and have the rates of rent in Centenary House, Canberra determined by an independent panel of valuers.

‘The ALI? is lining its coffers witlh the funds rorted from the Australian National Audit Office’s (ANAO) 6297 square metre lease on Centenary House, Canberra,’ said Senator Campbell.

‘Yet again, the rent pouring in to the ALP coffers from Centenary House is more than double that payable for new developments in Civic (Canberra’s CBD), Barton and Forrest - and almost two- and-a-half times more than the market rate for refurbished buildings in Civic.’

Market rates fcr A Grade new developments in Civic, Barton and Forrest are currently renting for $340-$35O/sq metre, and refubished A Grade buildings in Civic: are currently $3OO/sq metre.

‘Today is the seventh anniversary of the ALP’s entirely uncommercial Centenary House contract - a 15 year contract, with an automatic annual rental increase of 9(3/o,’ said Senator Campbell.

‘The ALP is charging the Aussie taxpayer the highest rent in Australia. The ALP is charging more on the first floor of suburban Canberra than the on the 30th floor of Sydney CBD buildings with Harbour views,

‘It is a rip-off and it is time it ended.

‘This ALP rort of taxpayers’ money is highway robbery and must be halted instantly.’

From today, thlt 7th anniversary of the ANAO’s lease on Centenary House, the ALP is snaffling $7 12 per square metre for the 6297 square metres of ANA0 office space in Centenary House.